Step into the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, and the first thing you notice is the scent. It’s warm, earthy and oddly nostalgic. This is not a man-made fragrance, but something organic and real.
For Emiratis, it evokes the memory of drying dates in the summer. For Japanese visitors, it is something comforting and familiar, even if they cannot quite place it, says Shaikha Al Ketbi, the UAE Pavilion’s creative director.
“In our previous participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, we had a bespoke fragrance created. But here in Osaka, the scent came naturally,” she says. “It was not part of the plan, but a complete surprise.”
The pavilion is built from about two million date palm fronds, arranged into 90 towering columns. The fronds were sourced from the UAE, Egypt and Tunisia, then cleaned, straightened and treated before being shipped to Japan.
“We gathered all the material in a warehouse. When we entered, it smelt just like home,” says Al Ketbi. “There was warmth, a little sweetness. We said to each other: ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if this scent stayed once the pavilion was built?’”
Luckily for the team, and the visitors, the unique scent lingered on when the pavilion was built, even after months of foot traffic. Of the response from Japanese visitors, Al Ketbi adds: “It has been such a strong point of connection. Some ask if we plan to bottle it, an idea we are now exploring with perfumers.”
The pavilion itself was designed to engage all senses. “We wanted a multisensory experience,” says Al Ketbi. “Scent, yes, but sound as well. There is a soundscape at the entrance that mimics the sounds of an oasis. The materials are textured, and we use lighting and space to create calm. And there is the food, of course.”
The restaurant inside the pavilion serves Emirati cuisine but in bento boxes, a gesture of cultural exchange.
“We knew the Japanese public would appreciate that format,” says Mariam Al Memari, head of the UAE Expo Office. “It is something familiar to them. But when they open it, it is a surprise. They discover Emirati flavours and traditional dishes. The response has been incredibly positive.”
Some ingredients are flown in from the UAE, others are sourced locally to maintain freshness and sustainability.
Meanwhile, the architecture is striking in its simplicity. The glass facade invites people in, offering a view of the columns and woven structures within. The layout is circular, centred on a courtyard-like space.
“From the beginning, we wanted to build a pavilion that felt welcoming,” says Al Ketbi. “Some pavilions are designed to impress from a distance. Ours is designed to invite. Visitors see the columns and the materials, and they come closer.”
The columns vary in height from nine to sixteen metres, and are constructed from treated palm fronds and bound with rope. “The material is unfamiliar here,” says Al Ketbi. “We worked with a Japanese carpentry studio to make it happen. It required a whole new supply chain.”
The effect is both immersive and intimate. Japanese visitors often touch the materials, notes Ketbi. “They are drawn to the texture. It creates a relationship. They do not just see the pavilion, they feel it.”
At the centre of the experience are Emirati youth ambassadors and volunteers, many of whom speak Japanese, guide visitors and answer questions.
“They are the human face of the UAE here,” says Al Memari. “Visitors are often struck by their warmth and confidence. For many, it is their first time meeting someone from the UAE.”
The pavilion also includes a shop that offers products made by Emirati artists and start-ups. Many items are made from date palm fibre. “We want people to take home something that feels authentic,” says Al Memari. “Some pieces even reference Expo 1970, when Abu Dhabi participated before the formation of the UAE.”
That reference to 1970 is part of a wider narrative. The pavilion’s theme, Earth to Ether, connects past and present. “In 1970, Abu Dhabi came to Expo as a single emirate,” says Al Ketbi. “In 2025, the whole federation is here. That is not just history. It is a story of transformation.”
The story is narrated through media installations as well as the pavilion’s design itself. The layout is circular, evoking traditional gathering spaces. The woven materials bring on a sense of one’s own home rather than a busy commercial setting.
“We wanted to explore the idea of legacy,” says Al Ketbi. “What gets passed on? What do we share with the world? How do we carry our environment with us, even when we are far from home?”
The pavilion was developed by a multidisciplinary collective that brought together architects, designers, artists, writers and engineers. “It was a collaborative process,” says Al Ketbi. “Everyone contributed. The person who wrote the story, the person who sourced the material, the person who shaped the columns – all of them were part of the creative team.”
Since opening its doors, the pavilion has attracted more than two million visitors. “We see 30,000 people a day,” says Al Memari. “But more important than the numbers is the feedback. Visitors, Japanese or otherwise, tell us they feel something here – calm, welcome connection.”
The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
Company%20profile%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYodawy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarim%20Khashaba%2C%20Sherief%20El-Feky%20and%20Yasser%20AbdelGawad%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2424.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlgebra%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20MEVP%20and%20Delivery%20Hero%20Ventures%2C%20among%20others%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson
5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri
5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
Brighton College Abu Dhabi – Dh68,560
Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) – Dh54,170
Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Star%20Wars%3A%20Episode%20I%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Phantom%20Menace
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Big%20Ape%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20LucasArts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20PlayStation%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Non-oil%20trade
%3Cp%3ENon-oil%20trade%20between%20the%20UAE%20and%20Japan%20grew%20by%2034%20per%20cent%20over%20the%20past%20two%20years%2C%20according%20to%20data%20from%20the%20Federal%20Competitiveness%20and%20Statistics%20Centre.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%2010%20years%2C%20it%20has%20reached%20a%20total%20of%20Dh524.4%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECars%20topped%20the%20list%20of%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20re-exported%20to%20Japan%20in%202022%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh1.3%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJewellery%20and%20ornaments%20amounted%20to%20Dh150%20million%20while%20precious%20metal%20scraps%20amounted%20to%20Dh105%20million.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERaw%20aluminium%20was%20ranked%20first%20among%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20exported%20to%20Japan.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETop%20of%20the%20list%20of%20commodities%20imported%20from%20Japan%20in%202022%20was%20cars%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh20.08%20billion.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politicsSome of Darwish’s last words
“They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope.” – Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The National’s picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsWhere to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
ARM%20IPO%20DETAILS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShare%20price%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETarget%20raise%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%248%20billion%20to%20%2410%20billion%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProjected%20valuation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2460%20billion%20to%20%2470%20billion%20(Source%3A%20Bloomberg)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELead%20underwriters%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Barclays%2C%20Goldman%20Sachs%20Group%2C%20JPMorgan%20Chase%20and%20Mizuho%20Financial%20Group%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
– 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
– 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
– 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
– 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
– 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
– 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
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Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Wonder
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Key facilities
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
De Bruyne (70′)
Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated,” said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE’s National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
“What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live.”
This is then injected into the body.
“The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose,” she said.
“You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen.”
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever,” she said.
AloJapan.com